Embedded Systems Conference 2000, San Jose, CA, Sept. 26, 2000 -- emWare Inc. announced today its fourth-generation EMIT software -- a complete device networking software infrastructure that allows manufacturers to add networking and Internet connectivity easily and cost-effectively to products made for homes and businesses. This field-proven solution leverages standard Internet technologies for quickly incorporating networking capabilities. emWare's EMIT 4 technology is especially appropriate for customers who want to deploy large-scale management and telemetry of tens of thousands, even millions, of devices such as thermostats, vending machines, security, lighting, sprinkling, heating and cooling systems using its new message-based InterChange Service™ In addition, EMIT 4 offers Linux OS support for emGateway™ and emFlash™ -- a universal flash interface for remote reprogramming of devices.
emWare's EMIT technology is a cost-effective, open software architecture that does not require manufacturers to use proprietary microcontrollers in their devices. EMIT software utilizes the emNet open protocol to connect emMicro-enabled devices to emGateway™ servers. The emNet technical specifications were released today through emWare's Open Program Access License (OPAL™) initiative, making it a royalty-free protocol. emWare's EMIT technology allows any device made for homes, businesses and factories to communicate over any network, including the Internet, using any interface such as telephones, Web browsers, PDAs, databases or custom applications.
"As the global business environment becomes ever faster-paced and more competitive, the ability to unlock new kinds of information has become crucial to business success," said Michael D. Nelson, CEO and co-founder of emWare Inc. "It's no longer a matter of networking businesses and people, it's a matter of networking products and creating devices that can communicate to unlock vital information. It's a matter of becoming e-smart."
"When combined with support from emWare's consulting and services organization and its cooperative efforts with Extend The Internet (ETI) Alliance™ members, EMIT software is the most cost-effective, end-to-end solution for networking everyday products," added Nelson. "In addition, our emNet open protocol is complementary to the EMIT software technology and allows device manufacturers to inexpensively and quickly network-enable their products to provide their customers with e-smart products that offer improved service, greater convenience, increased cost-savings, and enhanced productivity and safety."
For example, Matsushita Electric Works (MEW), makers of the National and Panasonic brand, recently signed a multimillion dollar licensing agreement with emWare. Under the terms of the agreement, MEW is using emWare's EMIT device networking software to add Internet connectivity for remote access, management and diagnostic capabilities to more than 500 of its building automation, medical device and home automation products. MEW has formed a special project team committed to integrating emWare's technology into new and existing products. MEW already introduced its first e-smart device, a health CARE Monitor, for use in nursing homes.
"We were looking for a cost effective, open solution to add Internet connectivity to hundreds, potentially thousands of our products," said Dr. Junji Nomura, Ph.D., operative officer of electrical construction materials, Matsushita Electronic Works. "emWare's EMIT technology offered the ideal solution for adding networking capabilities to MEW's products faster and more cost-effectively than our previous methods. In some cases emWare's solution is three to five times less expensive than the alternative technologies."
In addition to EMIT being an open, extremely cost-effective solution, the other key factors that influenced MEW's decision were its new capabilities, including InterChange Service, emFlash universal flash interface and Linux OS support for emGateway.
InterChange Service
EMIT 4 software's InterChange Service does not require a constant connection from the device to the client for all communications. Instead, the devices send InterChange messages on status or events to the EMIT Message Router on emGateway. Client applications create information filters that instruct emGateway to route information from certain devices. emGateway then either holds the messages for retrieval or sends the information to the client based on the client filters. InterChange Service works well with multiple recipients in much the same way as e-mail.
The InterChange Service is appropriate for monitoring and telemetry of large enterprise networks that include hundreds, thousands and even millions of devices. For example, with Carrier's ComfortChoice program, thermostats can be networked and programmed to send their usage data to the database that now interfaces with emGateway. A power company's central database then downloads the data once a day, which reduces the transaction time for collecting data and saves resources by eliminating the need to have a persistent connection to the meters. While collecting the data becomes easier and more cost-effective, the value of the data introduces a whole new realm of possibilities. Utility companies can divert resources to meet special energy consumption needs or offer incentives for customers to use less power during peak hours based on the information gathered via remote access to individual meters.
emWare's EMIT technology still offers InterActive Service™, the traditional way to structure communications between devices, emGateway and client applications on an EMIT-enabled network. This connection-based communication model requires a persistent network connection between devices and emGateway that generates an immediate exchange of information most appropriate for carrying out remote diagnostics and timely device management.
emFlash
emFlash allows users and support technicians to download a new program to a device, or repair, upgrade, enhance or change the functionality of a device simply and easily from a remote location using a common Web browser interface. In the past, engineers have been faced with the challenge of developing different reflashing software for each of the different microcontrollers they work with. emWare has developed a common Flash API, making it the only technology available today for engineers to reprogram their devices using a single, consistent interface. In addition, emFlash saves time and money by reducing service calls and support issues.
Support for WindowsNT and Linux OS
emWare's emGateway software runs on WindowsNT and Linux platforms, providing customers with the comprehensive server support and network performance necessary for integrating their device network with most existing enterprise networks without the need for any network restructuring. This next generation of EMIT provides the robust qualities necessary for integrating device networking capabilities into extensive enterprise systems.
Pricing and Availability
emWare's EMIT 4 technology will be available October 31, 2000. Software Development Kits are available from various Extend The Internet (ETI) Alliance members ranging in price from $59-$189.
About emWare Inc.
emWare® allows the world to connect and interface with everyday devices found in businesses and homes, unlocking new information to improve the way people work and live. emWare's Embedded Micro Internetworking Technology™, referred to as EMIT software, is a complete device networking infrastructure. EMIT software allows device manufacturers in such industries as power and resource management, heating and cooling systems, building and home automation, telemedicine and health services to network-enable new and existing products, making them e-smart™. These products can be remotely monitored, diagnosed, upgraded and controlled over the Internet or any network. Established in May 1996, emWare Inc. is a privately-held company based in Salt Lake City, Utah with offices in Campbell, California and Munich, Germany.
About EMIT Technology
emWare's EMIT software is a complete solution for managing and controlling new and existing devices we use everyday such as thermostats, security systems, lawn sprinklers and vending machines. In fact, EMIT software allows any device, in any industry, to communicate over any network, using any interface. The primary components of EMIT software -- emMicro™, emNet™, emGateway™ and EMITAIS™ -- provide everything needed to build, manage and maintain a robust, distributed device network.
About the ETI Alliance
emWare is the founder of the Extend The Internet (ETI) Alliance -- a group of the world's leading companies that delivers end-to-end device networking solutions by leveraging existing technologies, EMIT software and the Internet. The ETI Alliance member companies are driving the EMIT technology as the standard for device networking.
emWare and EMIT are registered trademarks of emWare Inc. emMicro, emGateway, emFlash and emNet are trademarks of emWare Inc.
